The New York Herald Newspaper, May 20, 1869, Page 3

THE NEW REPUBLIC. Tho Government of Cuba Defi- nitely Organized. Carlos Manuel Cespedes Elected President. Proclamation of the New Republic. Patriot Official Reports of Recent Encounters. CONDITION OF PORTO RICO. ‘The steamship Columbia, Captain Van Sice, ar- ‘wived at this port yesterday from Havana, bringing ‘the important intelligence that the Republic of Guba has been formally establisned by a Congress heid at Guimaro, a small town of the Central De- partment of the island, about twenty leagues east of Puerto Principe, Don Carlos Manuel Cespedes was elected Presi- @ent of the republic, and General Manuel Quesada Commander-in-Chief of the forces. Don Francisco V. Aguilera has been appointed Secretary of State and War. We give below the address of General Cespedes to the Congress on the occasion of resigning his au- thority as provisional chief of the revolution, bis prociamation to the people of Cuba on assuming the Presideney of the republic, the proclamation of General Quesada to the patriot army and two official reports of recent engagements with the Spanish troops. These documents we have received in the original revoluttonary imprint, direct from the pre- sent capital of republican Cuba, and they as well as our accompanying correspondence from the princi- pa! points and both parties in the island. We aiso publish an interesting correspondence from Porto Rico. Establishment of the Patriot Government— General Cespedes PresidentUnanimity aud Confidence Among the Cubans—Opera- tious Near Puerto Principe. NveEviras, May 11, 1869, The Cubans have established a government at Guaimaro, with Carlos Manuel Cespedes as Presi- dent; Francisco V. Agutlera, Vice President, Secretary of State and of War; Pedro Figueredo, Assistant Secretary of War, and General Manuel Quesada, Commander-in-Chief of all the forces, They have put aside all party dissensions and seem determined ‘hereafter to act in an orderly manner and with the essential organization. I send you the proclama- tions of Cespedes on the occasion and other import- ant omeial documents, whieh will do much towards enlightening the readers of the HERALD as to the condition and intents of the patriots. The Cuban Legisiature conducted their proceedings with great Tnanimity, and, as you have been advised, passed an act for annexation to the United States. In my last | mentioned that Lesca left here on the 24th ult, with atrain of cars drawn by oxen for Puerto Principe. He had very little fighting on the road until the 5th, when he arrived at Bonilla, or Alta Gracia (the place where Valmaseda was first attacked by the Canagueyans), Here a battle oc- curred, the patriot account of which, oficially ven, Lenclose with other documents referred to. the Spaniards are very reticent about this battle. Certain officers confess to twenty killed and forty ‘wounded; among the former were three oficers, in- cluding Colonel Macias. ‘They do not mention the Cnban loss, but say they drove the enemy off. The patriots still remain in great neea of ammunition and arms. General Letona has his headquarters at Las Minas and has 3,000 men scattered along the line of the road. The ——e had been repaired as far as the column had gone, but the wires were soon after cut im various places, It is stated here that Lesca reached Puerto Principe on the 9th, and that the train is expected down immedietely. This 1s ex- tremely doubtful, however, as it has beeu raining continually for the past four days. Troops have been seen toward Manati and had suffered heavily from the patriots, 1 forward the printed oficia! account of the latter. It seems that Quesada did not command at the fight of AltaGracia, as the Spaniards say. ile is going to the Oriental department to fizlit Valmaseda after nis dastardly’ proclamation, which has excited the Cubans almost to madness, Case of the Crew and Passengers of the Galvanic—Trouble Brewing with the Volun- teers—Arrest of an American Citizen. HAVANA, May 15, 1869. As stated in a previous letter, the crew of the schooner Galvanic (British), captured some months since in Cuban waters on suspicion of being a block- ade runner, have been released and taken to Nassau in one of her Majesty’s vessels. The release was brought about by the British Consul here, but owing to possible demonstrations on the part of the volun- teers they were set at liberty and taken on board during the night. Their trial before the council of war will proceed, however, the “legal fiction” being indulged in with a view to the continued ae- ceptioa of these “masters of Havana.’ The pas- sengers, numbering some ninety-two, all Cubans, wil be tried before the council, The Fiscal has de- manded six years of hard labor, with an additional detention of three years, in some reformatory institu. tuon in Spain, and wiil endeavor to bring the offence up to the demand, a8 is the custom. The British gov- ernment, through its representative here, has pro- tested against the action of the court in declaring the Galvanic a legal prize, and inumated, in rather a mild manner, that we should ask the release of both vessel! and passengers. Evidently the object is to get through in the matter with a3 little trouble as possible, The passengers, though claiming their perfect innocence of any oifence, appeal to the Cap- tam General for the benefits of the amnesty, to Which they are in any case most clearly entitled, This has been denied them, though verbally and ‘Without the usual formaiities, ‘there is, therefore, @irong reason for believing that, sooner or later, they will be released. ihere is @ strong undercurrent of bad feeling among the volunteers at present, and though ex- tremely quiet their threats are joud and deep, ‘They are very much dissatistied with the order of the home government concerning the disposition of the prisoners which sailed from here some Ume sine for Fernando Po. Se them to the salabri climate of the Canari where it has been the cus- tom to send offenders only guilty of a disference of opinion, is not, they say, according to the pro- rawime or their deserts, and they threaten, npon he oficial aunouncement of th arrival at the Canaries, to manifest their dissatisfaction practi- cally. Again, they are very much dissatisied with tue very current rumor that Vaimaseda has been retieved, owing to O18 infamous proclamation, Should this turn out to be correct, his arrival here Will probably be the sigual for some very grave dis- urbances. it is generally believed that Dulce wil remain here but a short time longer, and that General Cordova fs to take his place, ‘The steamship Barcelona, which arrived here yi terday trom Nuevitas and other ports, brought At Gx fick and wounded soldiers, the latter Irom the engagements on the railroad, and forty-eight negroes Gud cooltes taken from the insurgent lines. Sehor Don Rafael Estrada, a naturalized Ameri- Can citizen, resident of Philadelphia, and married to a lady of that city, recentiy came out here for tie purpose of putting up some machinery. For unexplained reasons he was arrested and lodged 1 the Cabanas. He was released yesterday at the i- etance of Mr. Hall, Vice Consul General. Arrival of a Battalion of Troops—They ave Latertained and Sent to the Field=Oute rageous Course of a Spanish OMicial. SANTIAGO DE CuBA, May 8, 1869, On the 4th inst. arrived here from Batabano the camer Cienfuegos, bearing General Buceta and the battalion de Reus, The latter was the object of a grand Catalan demonstration, meluding a collation on the plaza, followed by dancing, singing and a General abandon. Tne aifair passed without acei- dent, though great fears were entertained, on ac- count of the bad character of some of the men, who, ‘as fs sald, wero recruited from the chain gang at the penal colony of Cents. The battalion ieaves this morning to operate in the Holguin and Bayamo Yicinity in connection with the forces under Vaimakeda. General Buceta also goes out 4s morning with a strong column to beyond La Palma. Several more estates have been burned near here, inciuding “Abundancia” and “lasillo.” Government ts taking active measures to revent further destruction, and detachments of ten en Lave been placed on each estate, Exeeuttons continue at intervals. Last week five Seite atigiee noite st ee et ‘ntonio Bald to have nnected with the oe a massacre, was shot. Of late the commander of the forecs at Aserradero as deen the subject of much uafavorabie comment, NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, MAY 20, 1869.—TRIPLE SHEET. sons in cold ‘ pn ae geo as to excite disgust even so open an among the gormorants WhO come here from Spain %o prey caine coues paper pl biter the sympathies for its some interest and is intensifying the ready existing. PATRIOT OFFICIAL REPORTS. Address of General Cespedes, on Resigning His Provisional Authority. To THE INHABITANTS AND THE LIBERATING ARMY OF THE EASTERN AND WESTERN DEPARTMENTS :— FRLLOW CITIZENS AND SOLDJERS OF THE FATHER- Lanp—The course of events, which I have never dis- trusted, without giving a view as to our revolution— a revolution which is to-day what it was yesterday and will be to-morrow, the constant aspiration of the people of Cuba for independence, brought to the field of actual existence—leads me to-day willingly by the hand before the legal representatives of the Cuban people, to restore to their hands the double authority with which my good fortune, circum- stances and your bountiful confidence had clothed me, those of General-in-Chief of the Eastern and Western Departments and Chfef of your provisional government. Now that the House of Representatives, gathered from all parts of the island, has been happily in- angarated in Guaimaro, it becomes from the moment of its organization the supreme and only authority for ali Cubans, because 1t constitutes the depository of the people’s will, sovereign of the present and controller of the future. All temporary power and authority ceases to have a rightful voice in Cuba from the very moment in which the wise democratic system, laying its solid foundations beneath the gigantic shadow of the tree of liberty, hus come to endow us—after suffering the most iniquitous rule— with the most beautiful and magnificent of human institutions—a republican government. , Unfeigned gratitude I owe to the destiny which afforded me the glory of being the first in Yara to raise the standard of independence, and the still greater, though less merited satisfaction, to see crowded around me my fellow citizens in demand of liberty, thus sustaining my weak arm and stimulat- ing my poor efforts by their confidence. But another glory was reserved to me, far more grateful to my sentiments and democratic convictions—tiat of also being the first to render homage to the popular sovereignty. This duty fulfilled, having given an account to the fatnerland im 1ts most genuine representation, of the work which, with the assistance of its own heroic sons, I had the good fortune to have commenced, it still behooves me, feliow citizens, to fulfll another, not less imperious to my heart, of addressing my gratitude to you; to you, without whom my humble, isolated efforts, would not have produced other frait than that of adding one patriot more to the number of preceding martyrs for independence—to you who, recognizing in me the principle rather than the man, came to stimulate me by your recognition of inyself as chief of the provisional government and the liberating army. FELLOW CIrizENS OF THE EasTeRN Depart- MENT—Your efforts as initiators of the struggle against Rio your constancy, your sutierings, your heroic sacrifices of ali descriptions, your priva- tions, the combat without quarter which you have sustained and continue to sustain against an enemy far superior in armament and discipline, and who displays, for want of the valor which a good cause inspires, all the ferocity which 1s the attribute of tyranny, have been witnessed by myself, and so will remain eternally present to my heart. Ye are the vanguard of the soldiers of our liberties. I commend you to the admiration and to the gratitude of the Cubans, Continue your abnegation of self, your discipline, your valor and your enthusiasm, which Supe entitle you to that gratitude and that admira- on. FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE WESTERN DEPART- MENT—If it has not been your good fortune to be the first in grasping arms, neither were you among the last in listening to the voice of the fatherland that cried for revolution. Your moral aid and assistance responded from the very onset to the call of your brethren of the Eastern and Central departments. Many of you hastened to the scene of revolution to share our labors. At this moment, despite the ac- tivity displayed by the Spanish government in your districts, where its resources and the number of their hosts render more difficult the current of the revolution, that same government trembles before our determined attitude, from the Cinco Villas to davana, and from Havana to the western boundary, and your first deeds of arms were the presage to you and the brave and worthy sons of the Eastern and Central departments of new and decisive triumphs. FELLOW CITIZENS OF ALL THE ISLAND—The blood of the patriots who have fallen during the first on- set of the Struggle has consecrated our aspirations With a glorious baptism. At this moment, when destiny has been pleased to close the mission of him who was your first leader, swear with him by that generous biood, that in order to render fruitful that great sacrifice you wil shed your own, till the very last drop, in furtherance of the consummation of our independence, proclaimed in Yara. Swear with me to give up our lives a thousand over in sustain- ing the republic proclaimed in Guaimaro, Fellow citizens—Long live our independence! Long live the popular sovereignty! Long live the Cuban republic! Pacria and liberty. CARLOS MANUBL DE CESPEDES. Gvurtano, April 10, 186: Proclamation of President Cespedes. TO THE PEOPLE OF CUBA:— Comparriors—The establishment of a free govern- ment in Cuba, on the basis of democratic principles, was the most fervent wish of my heart.’ The effec- tive realization of this wish was, therefore, enough to satisfy my aspirations and amply repay the ser- vices which, jointly with you, I may have been able to devote to the cause of Cuban independence. But the will of my compatriots has gone far beyond this by investing me with the most honored ofall duties— the supreme magistracy of the republic. Tam not blind to the great labors required in the exercise of the high iunctions which you have placed in my charge in these critical moments, not- withstanding the aid that may be derived from other powers of the State. 1 am not ignorant of the grave responsibuity which I assume in accepting the Presidency of our newborn fepubtic. I know that my weak powers would be far from betng equal to the demand if left to themaeives alone. But this will not occur, and that conviction fills me with faith in the future, In the act of beginning the struggle with the op- pressor Cuba has assumeg the solemn duty to consummate her independence or perish in the at- tempt; and in giving herself a democratic govern- ment she obligates herselfto become republican, This double obligation, contracted in the presence of free America, before the liveral world, and, what is more, before our own conscience, signifies our determination to be heroic and to be virtuous. Cubans! On your heroism I rely for the consamma- tion of our independence, and on your virtue I count to consolidate the republic. You may count on my abnegation of self. CARLOS MANUEL DE CESPEDES. Guimano, April 11, 1869, Proclamation of General Quesada. CiTizeEN CUTEFS, OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF THE Liverating AkMy or CcBA—When I returned to my country to place my sword at tts service, fulfil. ling the most sacred of duties, realizing the most in- tense aspiration of my life, the vote of the Cama- gueyane, to my surprise, honored me by conferring on me the command of their army. Notwithstand- ing my poor merits and capacity I accepted the pest, because [ expected to find, and did find, in the Camagueyans civic virtues well established, a this has rendered supportable the charge of the re- sponsibility which T assumed, Now, the legisiative power of the republic has filled me with greater surprise, promoting me to the command in chief of the liberating army of Cuba. ‘The want of confidence in my own resources natur- aliy move me anew upon stronger grounds, although they also strengthen the conviction that the pacriot- iam of my brethren will supply the insufficiency of my capacity nagueyans! You have given me undovbted proofs of your virtues. You are models of subor- dination and enthusiasm. Persevere and extend your discipline, Soldiers of the East! Initlators of our sacred revo- Jution! Veterans of Cuba! I saiute you with sin- cere affection, counting on your gailant chiefs ia order that they may aid me in realizing the eminent work which we have undertaken, and I hope that Union will strengthen our forces. Soidiers of the villas! You have already struggied with the despot. I felicitate you for the rts made, and invite you to continue them. You are Patriots, You will be victors. Soldiers of the West! I know your heroic ex- Roe and venerate them. I am well aware of the jisad Vantage of the situation in which you find your- selves, In contrast with our oppressors, and it is our purpose to remedy this, Accept the homage of my admiration and the suc- cor of my arma, Citizen chiefs, oMcers and soldiers of the Cuban my! Union, discipline and verance, The rapid increase which revolution of Cuba has taken frig! oppressors, who ntens As are sae the pangs “not primera car. rying on @ W: vengeance, not 01 iit tyrant Valmaseda rambies with incen- dtary’s h and the homicidal knife over the flelds of Cuba. He has never done otherwise, but now he adda to his crime the stil) greater one of itbya coclamalieg, which we can only describe by if 4 to be @ proclamation worthy of the our vernment. ‘There; bro} vy fire and pillage. ‘This is nothing. It threatens us with death, and this 1s nothi But wines, Coneuaane, 606 are resort to violence, * * * * * gee - — ene te to recollect at all jore sons of Valmaseda, That doca- hours ment will shorten the time umph of our cause. ent 18 an additional proof of the character of our enemies, Those even of those which nature the irrationals—the instinct of fore- of they li ‘and succeed the jas, the ey live and si FLEE, the Boves, the Morillos, Cerne tae Conchas an the Valmasedas, We have to combat with the assassins of the old women and of children, with he ‘mutilators of the dead, with the idolators of gol Cubans. If you would save your honor and that = your Santen, if 78 woke Donner: forever rons, iberty—be soldiers. leads you to peace an happ! Inertia precipitates you to misfortune and to dishonor. Viva Cuba! Vivathe President of the Republic ! Viva the Liberating army! Patria and Liberty. MANUEL QUESADA, Gumaro, April 13, 1869, Fight at Rio Blanco. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR. Citizen General Rubalcava, in @ communication to the cilizen President of the republic, dated the 19th inst., says:— HEADQUARTERS OF MANAGUA, Still influenced by enthusiasm, pleasure and emo- tion, I hasten to inform you that yesterday we haa the most glorious encounter with the Spanish troops that we have had since the revolution broke out. The day before yesterday, at eleven A. M., we were apprised by Scouts that the Spanish troops which had gone to Manati for the convoy had left for Las Tunas by the Gramal road. We immediately caused our forces to occupy the Intrenchments, which had been prepared beforehand, but at about two P. M. we received another notice to the effect that the enemy bad returned and was taking the road of El Negro. We forthwith made a counter- march, and at about seven in the evening we en- camped in La Cana, about half a league from the enemy. At eight A, M. of the 18th our forces marched forward, opening fire on the van- guard by the forces of citizen General Vicente Garcta, and on the rear by those under my command. The firing commenced feebly; but before an hour passed the enemy fell back, aban- doning his dead, arms and vehicles, and lastly one cannon on carriage. The rear played with renewed vigor, and shortly afterwards dispersed the Spanish column, making twenty-nine prisoners while in pur- suit, and the rest took refuge in the plantation Rio Blanco, where they were so well pressed that forty- seven more surrendered. Our labor 18 not yet con- cluded, as we are still collecting the arms and dis- persed men, at the expiration of which [ will give you the full details. So far nmety-seven prisoners have been taken, of which seven are officers, 115 rifles and carbines, one cannon and carriage and several vehicles. The Spaniards left twenty-three dead bodies unburied, among which was that of Captain Sarmiento Soto, the same who shot six creoles, old men and children, a few days ago. The dead have been buried to-day by our men. Accord- ing to the report of the captain who commanded the rear guard this force numbered 200 men, and I trust the balance will be in our power belore to-morrow. There are twenty-four wounded amongthem. We had four wounded, one seriously and the rest slightly. The convoy consisted of thirty vehicles, and had it not gone off in precipitate flight by another road it would have been to-day in our pos- session. This has been a glorious little fight. moments our troops fought with great Viva la Republica! Patria and Libertad. FRANCISCO M. RUBALCAVA. MANAGUA, April 19, 1869, I forgot to say that the troops of Las Tunas left to- day, no doubt with the object of meeting with the Spanish column, but before proceeding a league on the road they returned in flight, caused by the fire of our forces. RUBALCAVA. Published by the Secretary's Office for the nforma- tion and satisfaction of all patriots, and in honor of the brave soldiers of liberty that have obtained such a marked triumph, Viva la Republica! Viva to the brave chiefs and soldiers operating in Las Tunas! Patria and Liberty. FRANCISCO V, AGUILERA, Secretary of State and War Department, Gumaro, April 20, 1869, , S.—Since the above bulletin was issned thirty- seven more Spaniards were captured. We arqnow desirous to know the account given by the Spaniards. At certain heroism. Fight at Altagracia. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY Or WAR. ‘The citizen General-in-Chief informs the Secretary as follows:— LIBRRATING ARMY HEADQUARTERS. T have tne satisfaction to transcribe the report just received from the Major General of the Army of Ca- maguey:— We had an encounter with the enemy yesterday afternoon on the summit of Altagracia, and although the firing only lasted three-quarters of an hour, it may be considered as a complete victory, because of the good order and intrepidity with whicn our soldiers fought and the damage caused to the enemy. At half-past tour P. M. the enemy appeared in con siderable numbers, divided in two’ columns, advanc- ing by the railroad line and the main road between Yaguajay and Camaguey. The column which was marching by tne latter road received the fire of the seventeen riflemen and fifty-three carbineers which were in ambush, under the immediate orders of Citizen Lieutenant Coronel Lope Kosio, who retired after fo mgr acompany or detachment of flankers, and killing several negroes and the captain who commanded them. The enemy’s forces having concentrated at the crossing of both roads they remained within reach of the riflemen of Citizen Colonel Valdes, who, jointly with some carbineers, occupied the centre of our entrenchment and com- menced a well directea fire, sustained for half an hour, with abundant loss to the enemy. The Span- jards would not advance, despite the vociferous orders and cries of their chiefs, and no doubt the vanguard was substituted by veteran soldiers, be- cause there was an interval of complete suience; the order for the attack was repeated, and then the columnes advanced. Nevertheless, ‘our fire, which extended with excelient aim by the left wing of our intrenchment, completely commanding and crossing the enemy’s column, broke bis front. The assault was prevented, and they were obliged to look to the right flank, with which we succeeded in deceiving the enemy, because the intrenchment which we desired to sustain was angular to the leit side of the ratl- road. In effect, when they reached the flank on that side in which the only object on the line was to deceive the enemy, the aforenamed forces of Colonel Valdes, that occupied said intrenctiment, retired to the one at right angles, and when the enemy thought hin» if master of our redonbt, he hascened to at- tack Lue left wing by the rear guard, and found him- selt on the side of the angie following the road, and receiving in full the fire thereof, tilt by deploying he reached the head of the intrenchment to Dank tt, at the same time when his flankers on the right threat- ened the extreme end of our left wing. Our men then jointly retired, and did it tm the most orderly style. 1am certain that the loss of the enemy exceeds 200 men, because the firing was kept up with deadly and weil directed aim, and we could see the soldiers fall in large numbers. Our troops have never fought better; never have they fired with greater order and collectedness, nor have they ever obeyed the orders of their chiefs with more alacrity, without one single man Lee out of his place until all did so jointly by command. To this cause I believe we owe that our victory of yesterday was a complete one: not because we only bad two slightly wounded while the enemy suffered heavily, but despite the heavy firing into the intrenchments and a great deat of cannonading, the shells of which, however, were spent far from us, but above ali, the excellent conduct observed by our soldiers entitles us to expect much from them. The brigade of Canao, as likewise that of Colonel Porro, commanded at this moment by Commandant Romero, and agent so the riflemen under Lieuten- ent Colonel Recio, have well known how to do their duty; bat loughtto make special mention of the few men commanded by Colonel Vaides, who man- aged to defend the dificult place confided to tiem to the very utmost. The enemy scarcely believe that behind those para- pets there were only 300 men opposed to thelr nu- merous forces. We shall continue to harrass the enemy until his arrival at Camaguey, and render difficult the recon- struction of the railroad, notwithstanding our com- plete want of sappers’ tools. The chiefs that operate from Las Minas and Nue- vitas bave not communicated anything new to me. Patria and liberty. IGNACIO AGRAMONTE LOYNAZ. PLANTATION SANTA Cruz, May 4, 1860, And I communicate the foregoing for general in- formation. Patria aud re MANUEL QUESADA, GUIMARO, May 5, 1869. General in Chief. Publisheé for general information and satisfac- tion. Patria and liberty. PEDRO FIGUEREDO, Sub-Secretary of War. GULMARO, May 6, 1869, SPANISH ACCOUNTS. Nurviras, May 12, 1860." Brigadier Amable Escalante has advanced so far as to be able to join the encampment at Minas with General Letona. ‘The latter has telegraphed from Minas the following:—“The train from Pryncipe left this morning. The engine cou!d not because the repairs have not hy Agr f the ont with @ very oon ami Roving” loss to depl cannons and destroyed the revel enemy, have Dresented thet vives mer nating thelr eacape with ‘dimeuity' trom the’ Febel It is rumored here that Escalante surprised and captured five rebel leaders, and though they were furnished with safe conducts irom Letona he had added that their bodies were sent on dead breasts. A cl was the re- ween the two commanders, of whom Letona A sword combat took and wounded. There is no time of this rumor before the it should be taken with caution. tw be the best swordsman in Provisions for MANZANILLO, May 9, 1869, On the 24 a large convoy left this city, consisting of fifty ox carts, with provisions and war materials for the column under the orders of General Valma- seda, together with about 600 vehicles filed with provisions for the peopie that have gatbered io and about Bayamo and are completely destitute. On the game day a company of the so-called “Guides” went into the country to obtain 200 cattle for the troops. ¥ Lieutenant Colonel Ampudia formed & small column composed of 200 soldiers and volun- teers from different corps to attack the camp of Francisco J. about fifteen miles from this town. The troops ted at Palmas, and in the monte gg many horses a quantity of arms and @ flag, many horses, a quant munitions. Aguero fled and escaped, as also his men. ‘The rebel General Mclesto Diaz has within the last few days been surprised three times, and only escaped by amiracie. Halland tne other leaders are becoming uneasy, being followed up closely. BAYAN. Triumph of the Troops—Staff of Rebels Sur- prised. BaYaMo, May, 1869. Lieutenant Colone) Lopez Campillo, with a column of troops under the superior orders of General Vai- maseda, surprised the staff of the insurgent army, killing the chief of staf, the commissary, besides several generals and colonels, Many horses, arms and munitions were captured. Both Cespedes and Aguilera were not far off, and only by some incidental miracle escaped on horse- back. NFUEGOS. Surrender of Horses to the Military. CIENFUEGOS, May 10, 1869. ‘The Governor has given orders that only the num- ber of horses indispensable to the plantations shall be allowed to remain on the estates; the rest are to be forwarded to the points fortified or having a gar- rison. SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Immense Destruction of Property—Execution of a Cuban. SANTIAGO DE CuBA, May 8, 1869. After the defeat of the rebels at Ramon they have divided imto several parties, and continue as hitherto their usual depredations, notwithstanding the column under General Latorre left this town in pursuit. The annual production of the twenty-four estates burned in this jurisdiction 1s stated to be 18,000 hogsheads of sugar and 5,000 ofrum. These estates represent a capital of over @ million and a half of doliars. The number of coffee planta- tions destroyed since April 23 last, in Hongolosongo and Nimanima, 1s sixteen. Their names are Josefina, Fuantropia, Santa’ Rosa, San Luis, San Esteban, Santa Isabel, Nueva Olimpia, Santa Zarbara, Santa Ana and Constancia. The total number destroyed in the month of January last was forty. For the last three days, thanks to the activity dis- played by our Governor, no fires.have been heard of nor any rebels in this vicinity. Last’ Monday Don Antonio Rodriguez, a native of Holguin, was shot, having been implicated in the murders of Bpantarcs committed 1n Mayari not long ago. He died with Christian resignation. ‘We learn from Baracoa, under date of the 21st ult., that there was an extraordluary activity in shipping at said port; not a day passed without the arrival of two, three and even four American schoo ners. PORTO RICO. Threatencd Revolution in Porto Rico—The People Emigrating. HAVANA, May 15, 1869. ‘The Spanish steamer Barcelona, which reached here yesterday morning, left Porto Rico on the 4th. She brings news of a, large emigration from the island, mostly towards Porto Plata, in St. Domingo, caused by fears of a revolution. The activity of the colonial authorities and the movement of troops 1m various direcuons indicated a threatening state of affairs. Condition of the Isinnd—Oppressive Taxa- tion—Character of General Sanz—Need of an American Citizen as Consul. Porto Rico, April 26, 1869. There is no country in the world so un- happy as this unfortunate island, None of the securities and guarantees that other countries enjoy, no matter how tyraunized, are to be found here, Life, property, everything is at the mercy of the Captain General. No king of the olden times eyer had more power than he. He is almighty. He can, if he lilies it, disovey the metropoli- tan government’s orders, and do _ other- wise. He can shoot or banish half the population if he thinks it convenient. He is restrained by nothing; his only law is caprice. With such a law (and Porto Rico never had another) secu- rity is only a vain word, ‘This poor people pass their lives trembling, not knowing what fate awaits them. Every one feels himself in danger and is certain that innocence 1s no shield against the government's sus- picion. The most respectable men have been obliged to leave their homes, abandoning their families and properties, on a peremptory order from the Captain General; and ounce im his presence, have been in- sulted in the basest manner, without regard to their age or position. This has lacely occurred in the city of Ponce with some of its principal inhabitants, wlio, we are sure, are above any reasonable sus- Acion. my condnct of General Sanz 1s, toa great extent, the canse of the intranquillity that reigns in the island. His arbitrary measures, the contempt with which he treats the natives, and his mania for Prreatening. everybody, has made him an object of hatred to ail those who are born in Porto Rico, Spain must be very poor in wisdom if she can afford no better men than Gen- eral Sanz. This man’s education is that of a com- mon soidier and nothing more, I have seen a letter of his where orthograpny is trampled upon in the most shameful way. His tmprudence is ona levele with his ignorance, as you may judge by the following conversation which he had with airiend of ours, He told that gentleman that he had the project of substitating the Spanish forces in the island with a corps of 10,000 negroes, who, being commanded and prepared by himself, would not be men, but tigers, that would devour every white man who might think of independence. These impru- dent words, that soon transpirea, have produced the greatest anxiety in the country. Porto Rico has never been insuch a poor condition as at the present moment. The earthquakes, hurri- canes and inundations which were experienced here last year brought the island to the very brink of ruin. Ap enightened government would have les- sened the taxes whieh weighed on that half ruinea population; but this 18 not the case with Spain, She, on the contrary, demanded then fifty per cent more than tne preceding years. The sum thus wrenched from Porto Rico Makes $6,000,000, instead of $4,000,000, that it paid hituerto. Not satis- fled yet with this considerable augmentation of tis revenue, the government issued a decree, some time ago, taxing the export of sugar, molasses, coffee and tobacco. General Sauz has thus extorted $1,000,000 more from the exhausted popu- lation of Porto Rico. All this money has not been collected without resistance In some parts, leaving in others a stream of tears and a concert of sighs, San German has not paid yet the sum which was as- signed to it, and the Hager has been obliged to employ the most violent measures to enforce obedi- ence, but so far without success, I have seen many a poor family’s pepe! seized by the government oficials and sold at auction to afford money for Span; ishaemands. Many are the families who once had a home and are now depending on public charity, having no other shelter than the branches of the trees, Nothing so mournful and desolating as these poor peopie, who once enjoyed a home, wandering from town to town, bare! half naked, with un- covered heads and hungry faces. Every word they utter is a malediction to Spain, Whose insauiable thirst of gold has caused their ruin. Such an unheard of tyranny renders Porto Rico uninhabitable, Ail those who can seil their proper- ues, even at a great loss, do it and leave the island in search of @ more hi = Po Cmaps le ed m and Ponce. Even Enghsh and American cttii feel themselves in danger. The consuls, it “peemns, are themselves intected with the ing terror; they dare not protect those whom they represent. It ig true that the indifference with which the American — government rds is in & measure inland are not Atmerican cltizens. The sian e1 Consul at St. Johns has been hitherto a Frenchman; that of Ponce ivan Englishman, ‘The consulate for them i PUBLIC EDUCATION. Meeting of the Commissioners of Common Schools, ‘The first stated meeting of the new Board of Com- missioners of Common Schools was held last even- chair. The Commissioners were all on hand, except Messrs. Sherwood and Murphy, and but little time was lost in getting to work. In the lobby were a number of teachers from the various schools and from the College, together with several prominent citizens, all of whom watched the proceedings of the Board with much apparent interest. After the usual preliminaries had been disposed of—tiie Clerk, Mr. Hitchman himself, reading the minutes— the President commenced clearing his desk of the papers which had been presented for the purpose of being acted upon by the Board. The majority of the communications were of the usual kind, from trustees excusing the absence of certain teachers, asking for the confirmation of nominations of others for positions and asking appropriations for various works, The communications were referred to the appropriate committees; after which was read a special communication from the clerk, The last communication recited the pro- posal made by H. ©. Calkins, Representative in Congress from the Seventh Congressional district, to confer the appointment of cadet in the Military Academy to the most deserving applicant from the schools of the Fourth school district. It recited further that the matter had been referred to the Commissioners representing the Fourth district in the late Board of Education; that these {commis- sioners had held a meeting for the purpose of exam- ining applicants for the cadetship and that but one apn icant appeared. As he was not a pupil of any of the public schools of the district nor of the Col- lege he was declared meligible and no action was taken in the matter, and it was, therefore, left to the eonsideration of the present Board. In connection with this communication from the clerk, Commis- sioner Duryea offered a resolution, which was adopted, referring the subject to a special committee of three. REVISION OF THE BYLAWS. Commissioner Gross offered a report from the special committee appointed at the previous (special) meeting of the Board to revise the bylaws of the Board. The report is an elaborate and well prepared document, and one which gave evidence of the fact that the new Board enters upon its duties with a determination to do whatever may be just and proper. The report opens with the statement that the bylaws of the late Board were evidently the re- sults of mature deliberation and experience in school matters, and should not be handled lightly. It then goes on to recommend such amendments as were hecessary to adapt the provisions to the reduced number of Commissioners, and names the fol- lowing as the standing committees to be ap- pointed by the president:—A finance committee, to consist of five members; a committee on buildings, repairs and furniture, of three members; a commit- tee on supplies, of three members; an auditing com- mittee, of fye members; a committee on the course of studies, school books and hygienics, of three members; a committee on teachers, of three members; @ committee on sites and new schoolhouses, of three members; a commitiee on normal, evening and col- ored schools, of three members; and a committee on bylaws, printing, elections and qualifications, of three members. REVORTS FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTER were offered by the chairman, Commissioner Bell, on matters which had been referred to them. The first report contained a full statement of the financial condifion of the Board, which was read by the title and ordered to be printed. In the matter of the award of contract for mason work connected with the additions and alterations to Grammar Schoolhouse No. 39, in the Twelfth ward, the committee reported that they had exam- ined the subject thoroughly, and recommended to the Board to rescind the action of the former Board in appropriating $33,990; to appropriate the sum of $14,000 for the carpenter and painting work, and to direct the Trustee of the Twelfth ward to readver- tise for proposals for the mason work. The report of the committee was adopted. ‘In the matter of the application of Terence Kier- work certain tracts on the completion of had been actually and the bills. case he voted in the affirmative, but that there was, he believed, @ bill of some thousands of dollars for extra work outstanding, and it was ime there was a check placed on these extra services. In the matter of the application of the trustees of the Seventeenth ward for the sum of $7,995 for re- furnishing Grammer Schoolhouse No. 19, the com- mittee recommended to the Board to deny tne appli- cation. The report of the committee was adopted; after which an amount of MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS was transacted. A resolution was adopted apolish- ing the office of reader to the Board and directing the clerk of tne Board to perform the duties hitherto discharged by the reader. Commissioner Lewis, trom the special committee, i esented & preamble and series of resolutions highly eulogistic of Mr. John Davenpori, auditor of the Board. The report of the committee was adopted and the resolutions ordered to be engrossed and presented to Mr. Davenport. A resolution was adopted directing that the Board visit in a body the various schools under their di- rection before the commencement of the summer vacation. Commissioner Wood presented a resolution direct- ing the Fmance Committge to report some plan by which the teachers could receive their pay directly imstead of indirectiy'through the principals. Mr. Wood, in offering the resolution, said that he it would be much better to pay the themselves instead of trusting so much money to the principals, however good they may be; that it might require more cleri- cal force, but he thought it could be done. The resoiution was adopted by the Board, but it was re- ceived by the teachers who were preseut with grins highly expressive of the idea, ‘you will find that won't work. Catch me coming down from Harlem with a check to be cashed, when the person by whom the check was brought could just as safely bring the money.’? The President announced the following as the COMMITTEES. Special on adetship—Commissioners Duryea, Bell and ross. Gi teziane-—Commissionera Bell, Wood, Brennan, Murphy and wis. Tew hers—Commissioners Gross, Sands and Lewia. 4 i mere au! Purnitere—Coummissioners Ingersoll, 4 Bell. ope a Murphy and Lewis. Stud 0 Boks and Hy ni o—Com mninsiow: Gross, Sherwood and Brennan, oft eT Fel ANS Sits aad New School Houses—Commissioners Smyth, Sands and Lewis. Norma', Evening and Colored Schools—Commissioners Bell, Diryen nha Gross: °° : By Laws, Printing, Eletions and lifications—C signers Briyth, Duryea and ingersoil, Cu eatone—Commis- Aw/titing—Commissioners ror ny Ingersoll, wood and smyth. aso ADJOURNMENT. It may justly be remarked that the members of the new Board have commenced operations very well by refraining from making unnecessary and prosy speecties, and have thus avoided the annoyance and erhaps the nausea which was often caused by a lew members of the old board and by the majority of the members of the Chamber of Commerce. If the Board go on as it has oe in this respect it will prove to be to some a decided blessing. In iess than one hour last evening all the business before the Board was dis} ol boy oe and satisfactorily to all the members, and the Board adjourned to meet again on the first Wednesday of June. Trustecs of the College of the City of New York. The Board of Education convened yesterday after- noon as the Board of Trustees of the College and organized by the election of Mr. R. L. Larremore as President and Mr. William Hitchman as Secretary. No business further than the ordinary routine was transacied. ‘There is before the Board an application and ré. commendation im behalf of Mr. W. B. Silber for the appointment as professor of Latin and Greek tn the fhe rendered vacant by the demise of the late Rev. r. Owen. Mr, Silber has been performing the duties of the professorship during some time past, and being one of the first teachers ever appointed to the academy will no doubt receive the appointment a8 a just recognition of his experience and the eilicient service he has rendered. AUCTION SALE OF PAINTINGS, Leavitt, Strebdeigh & Co. sold jast night at auction, at thelr rooms in Clinton Hall, Astor place, @ collec- tion of,nearly one hundred paintings, belonging to the gallery of a private gentleman, which were or- dered to be sold by the Superior Vourt. The pictures were, of course, of the various degrees of merit ‘usually found in such collections, and were the works of American and foreign artists, some of them copies, Dut mostly original. “Shankliss, Isle of Wight,” by Webbe, London, brilliant pioture tm some respects, brought $120; the “Falconer,” after Couture, by Moz, Paris, $110; the “Death of a large and pretentio but ir tare ty Houbraken, "$82 305" “Your” Good Health.” by Brackelear, was’ sold” at $160, iu : i i BE , “Coming ory sold for gam.” 4 once," by Beal reached the extravagan' agure of 4834, whule the on Ust, “Adopting a Child,” by Bar- London, @ picture incom better, $400, Cavalier,” by Elliott, w have astonished no one had it gone beyond $375, at the auctioneer’s hammer fell. Hart’s “4 on the Housatonic” soid at $115. “Sheep ” by Verboeckhoven, sold for $410; laseby,” by Glass, $425; “Tow Vale— ” "by Lee, London, $310. “Rienzi,” a mi one wonder that so many feet of be Cee to go little purpose, was inst from “Entombment,” brought $425, and the ” from Murillo, $510, COLUMBIA COLLEGE LAW SCHOOL, Annual Commencement—Addresses—Commit= tees, Report and Conferring of Diplomas. The Academy of Music was last evening attended by a 1arge and fashionable assemblage, the occasion being the tenth annual commencement of the Co- Jumbia College Law School. Great interest was manifested in the proceedings, evidenced not only by the numerous attendance on such an inauspicious evening, but by also the apparent pleasure exhibited at the manner in which the programme was ar- ranged and carried out. The President, Dr. F, A. P. Barnard, occupied the chair. After the overture to “Zampa” had been satisfactorily rendered by Gra- fulla’s band, which, by the way, enhanced the reu- nion by some very pleasing selections, the Rev. C. R, Duffle offered prayer, which was followed by an address delivered by Professor T. W. Dwight. General H. Epwin TREMAINE then delivered the Alumni oration. He saia the Alumni were not yet veterans at the bar. Although the diplomas of the venerable college were illumined with the fame of statesmen, warriors, lawyers and divines, its law school was yet in its infancy, It graduates were private soldiers in professional life, He considered that lawyers were priests ministering at the altar of human justice. In times past the high Chanceliors of England were selected from the Church; they were the keepers of the king’s conscience. Here the people wield the sceptre, and lawyers were the keepers of the people's equities, After alluding to the various powers and duties of the lawyer, he went on to state that, entwined with all that affected the State and the citizen, the profession brought to its members grave responsibilities. It was the duty of jayyers to keep the tribunals of justice pure. When justice was impeached then was the social fabric shaken and constitutional liberty imperilied. Legis- lative corruption was a trifling evil in comparison; but when judges were bad and their officials unre- liable, what security was there that the house one lived in would be his to-morrow? What became of private rights if property might be seized for alleged ublic use at @ nominal value, and heedless udges might dismiss petitions if tilegal taxes were were illegally imposed and unwilling courts refused a@ remedy? What became of rights of persons if brutal arrests were made under even the law, and the shadow of judicial process created the pretext for illegal imprisonment and shameful extortion % He considered that gross injustice, however, was not yet frequent in high judicial places. Justice in gross was rarer in lesser tribunals. If that sad hour should come when distrust and corruption in- fested also the high tribunals of a State, fare- well to private rights, to liberty, to free institutions, to public morality, and farewell to the sacred ties of a people whose ancestors lived and fought to erect @ free State, which their children would have then proved unworthy to maintain. It was when the Roman ministers of justice proved faithless that the ancient empire began to crumble. It was when in- Justice prevailed against innocence that French re- publicanism became a failure, and it was when the foul spirit of slavery controlled the highest court in the land and was able to dictate its decrees that such @ spirit waxed bold enough for open war. nan for $454 for extra mason work and of J, Fessler for $112 for extra carpenter work the committee reported that they had found that the extra con- satisfactorily performed, and they recommended the payment of ‘The report of the committee was adopted. Commissioner Smyth, in voting, explained that as the committee recommended the payment in this It was @ matter of notoriety that money was criminally spent to procure the omission of official duty and the commission of official wrong, and heediess ministers of justice were silent. After dilating upon the corruption of the bench he alluded to the office and duties of the sheriff. The sheritf in former times was chosen from among the wealthiest and most notable commoners. Tne high office was guarded from temptation without and corruption within. He was and is the official representative of justice. He left it for others to say if the office at the resent day retained its ancient dignity. From the Bistory of Manhattan, however, it would be dim- cult to ascertain when last wealth and culture were selected for this distinguished station, while it was dificult to discover which sheriff had retired in poverty. If a man had been regularly disc! from the penitentiary or had mysteriously escal official recognition he was not eligible to become a sheriff, or an appointed deputy to become the ministerial oficer of a court. of Justice, to clothe its bald decrees with potency. To the sheriff the people looked for public security and the bar for some adequate return to the successful client atter annoying litigations. Were not the facts glaring however, that the bar feel debased in crosslng the threshold of the chief officer of the courts, and had it not come to pass that corruption, ext on and even embezzlement were hardly concealed by the wiles of ordinary theft, that the men who repre- sented judicial mandates were those who lived by vice, and that a large per cent of their ill-gotten gains was mercilessly wrung from poverty, with scarcely the pretext of lawful authority, and how far was that venality from the bench itself? It could scarcely be wearer unless upon it. He thought, moreover, that the bar of this city hi yet to raise its powerful arm against the tide of venallty surging at the courts of justice, fast Washing away the corner stone of the municipality and undermining the very fabric of the State. Mob law began in cities; revolutions commenced in crowded populations. Civil commo- tion was started. Wheu wrongs were perpetrated under the garb of justice it was the bar who should fearlessly proclaim the facts and apply the ade- quate remedy. After alluding to the men who formerly filled the public offices, he ob- served that it was but a+ short time since when, by reason of the extended preparation required, and the stringest test to which candidates were subjected, that the name of lawyer was of itself some guarantee to secure public respect and per- sonal contidence. Now the rolls of the courts con- tained the names of men uneducated to the profes- sion, and whose qalifications had never been tested by lawful authority or subsequent experience. New York jusdy boasted of a profession whose cham- pions had taught legal reform to iron-bound Calliornia and reconstructed South Caroxua, and even the mother of common law now learned from our courts to philosophize the contradictions of Brit- ish Chancery. Let us emulate the past and elevate the pregent, and may the bar ever be worthy of it- self, loyal to the ciilzen and faithful to the state, (Applause.) r. Henry Nicoll then delivered an address, The annual prizes in the department of Municipal Law were awarded by a committee consisting of Messrs. E. H. Owen, Hooper C. Van Vorst and Henry H. Anderson, as follows:—The first prize of $250 to James Lord Bishop; the second fim of $150 to Calvin Spensiey; the third prize of $100 to Charies Hdward Tracy, The prize of $200in the department of Political Science was awarded by a committee consisting of Messrs. Joseph H. Choate, Charies F. Biake and James ©. Carter, to Herick C. Bond, The degree of Bachelor of Laws was then con- ferred aipon the following persons:—William Henry Andrews, James Knox Averill, Waiton Peckham Bells, Charles Wyilys Betts, James Lord Bishop, Henry Herrick Bond, Charles Henry Burtis, Charies Goodrich Coe, Duane Conant, Thomas Duncan Cottman, Robert Emmett Cowart, George Hubert Cowell, James Ambrose Deering, George Gozman Dewitt, John J. Dubois, Patrick Gavan Duify, Frank J. Dupignac, George Ozro Emerson, Charlies Emmett, John Barnard Fairbank, Louis Fellows, Francis Forbes, Louts William Frost, George Griswold Greene, Edward Graham ps George. Henry Hansen, Thomas Hedge, Jr.; John Homer Hildreth, Pierre Van Buren Hoes, George Chandler Holt, William Warner Hoppt, Jr., Clarence Meiville Hyde, William Halsey Ingersoll, George Landon Ingraham, lieory Whitman Kenne- dy, Henry Thomas Lee, Hamiiton Wright Mabie, William Hector McAllister, Jolin Thomas Mc- Donough, Dennis McMahon, Jr., Charies Anson Maltby, George Manierre, Fravcis Elston Marsh, Abram John Miller, James Appleton Morgan, James Edward Morrison, William Putt pecge George Francis Murray, Cadwalader Evans jen, Richard Wayne Parker, Charlies Ewing Patterson, Court Jr.; Walter Pell, Calebg Purdy, landt Palmer, Rudolph Frederick Rabe, Theodore Ritter, Charles Robverts, Charlies Hall Rockwell, Fran- cis Markoe — Scot! William = Henry Secor, George Preston Shelion, Frederick Issac Gordon Stedman, Spensley, Ernes Francis Lynd jorace Stetson, Solomon dors Re y Thayer Streeter, Charies A’ Tracy, Uharles Edward. Tracy, Edgar Abel Waldémar Jo i ieee Tuska, Aaron Ernest Vand Philip .Van Rensselaer Vi Wessels Ch : ere, Frank Wetmore, Kil Wooster ¥ etmore, Ezekiel WwW son, James Henry Work, Bawar? Maren a pie bir. George C. Holt then delivered the valedictory address, in which he discussed the lection, of the pre- yodtolary and showed the evils attending